We’ve been busy creating new videos here at PLCGurus.NET! In this video we take a look at Stratix 5700 Smartports and how to apply a given smartport configuration to the Stratix 5700 Industrial Managed Ethernet Switch.
What are Smartports?
Stratix 5700 Smartports are the recommended configurations for switch ports. These configurations, referred to as smartport roles, optimize the switch connections and provide security, transmission quality, and reliability for traffic to-from the switch ports.
The smartport roles also help prevent port misconfigurations.
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What Are Smartport Roles?
There are various smartport roles that can be configured on a Stratix 5700. Below is a list of the various smartport roles that can be configured complete with descriptions explaining when to apply a given smartport role to a given switch port.
Automation Device Role:
Apply this role to ports to be connected to EtherNet/IP (Ethernet Industrial Protocol) devices. It can be used for industrial automation devices, such as logic controllers and I/O.
Multiport Automation Device Role
Apply this role to DLR-enabled ports and ports connected to multiport EtherNet/IP devices.
Devices include multiport EtherNet/IP devices arranged in a linear or daisy chain topology, the 1783-ETAP module (for connection to only the device port), unmanaged switches, such as the Stratix 2000, and managed switches with Remote Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) disabled.
Desktop For Automation Role
Apply this role to ports to be connected to desktop devices, such as desktop computers, workstations, notebook computers, and other
client-based hosts.
Virtual Desktop For Automation Role
Apply this role to ports connected to a computer running virtualization software. This can be used with devices running up to two MAC addresses.
Switch For Automation Role
Apply this role to ports to be connected to other switches with Spanning Tree enabled. Port is set to Trunk mode.
Router For Automation Role
Apply this role to ports to be connected to routers or Layer 3 Switches with routing services enabled.
Phone for Automation
Apply this role to ports to be connected to IP phones. A desktop device, such as a computer, can be connected to the IP phone. Both the IP phone and the connected computer have network access through the port.
This role prioritizes voice traffic over general data traffic to provide clear voice reception on the IP phones.
Wireless for Automation
Apply this role to ports to be connected to wireless access points. The access point can provide network access to as many as 30 wireless users.
Port Mirroring Role
Apply this role to ports monitored by a network analyzer such as WireShark.
None Role
Apply this role to ports if you do not want a specialized Smartport role on the port. This role can be used on connections to any device, including devices with other Smartport roles.
CS1…CS10 Role
Custom Smartport roles. You can create a customized port role with a user-defined name.
Avoid Smartport Mismatches
A Smartport mismatch occurs when an attached device does not match the Smartport role that is applied to the switch port. Mismatches can have adverse effects on devices and your network.
Mismatches can result in the following conditions:
- Affect the behavior of the attached device.
- Lower network performance (reduce the level of quality of service [QoS]) on CIP, voice, wireless, switch, and router traffic.
- Reduce restrictions on guest access to the network.
- Reduce protection from denial of service (DoS) attacks on the network.
- Disable or shut down the port.
It is recommend that you always verify which Smartport role is applied to a port before attaching a device to the port or reconnecting devices.
Conclusion
Smartports are a key feature of the Stratix switches which allow the operation of ports of a switch to be optimized by applying a suitable configuration for the device connected to that port (assigns a port role).
Smartports can be configured from Device Manager, using Cisco Network Assistant (CNA) or from within the Studio 5000 Logix Designer. By default, the Smartports port role is set to None.
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